Received on Aug 7, 2016
Very interesting topic. Similar in many ways to the Antique Furniture or Art marketplaces.

When collectible automobiles of value become even more/highly valuable they tend to be differentiated by percentage of original content, previous ownership history, connection to Racing, condition, usability, and their specific make or serial number historical significance. Owners should learn as much as they can about their Bentley(s).

Some Bentley collectors own cars that were fully restored to the absolute top standard were very little connection to the original car remains. An example of this may have been a Period Race Bentley owned by a prominent well known Billionaire that is a perfect replica but very little of the original car remains. It was re-created from very few original bits. Other special Bentleys with one of a kind bodies are also re-created where the "original body" style is built new using like materials and is accurate in every way…but new and not original.

Some entities (Experts in the Bentley Field) have even recently purchased and restored special but obsolete original machines just to reproduce the correct fabric that covered many of the original VDP bodied Bentleys. So these recently restored Bentleys will have very accurate covering but it is new covering.

Back in 2008 Keith Martin's Sports Car Market (SCM) Price Guide posted pricing for Vintage Bentleys that included a line for "(bitsa)" cars. A bitsa is a car with many mismatched (but assumed Original) components created from parts from Original several cars. At that time a 4 1/2 Bentley bitsa had a value range of $$200,000 to $325,000. The Matching Number Original was listed at $500,000 to $1,250,000. So anywhere from a 2.5 to 4 times greater value for the Original matching Numbers car. Some individuals today might consider a car made with mostly new parts (perhaps with a real factory production serial number stamped) a bitsa. I do not have that opinion.

After 2008 Sports Car Market changed their approach. The "bitsa" reference and associated price was removed. Today, and for at least the last five years SCM says: "(For all pre-war chassis types, add up to 100% for original or exceptional coachwork, matching numbers, or racing provenance)"

In the 2016 SCM guide for a 4 1/2 Bentley there is a value range of $1,917,300 to $6,050,000. This range and the run up of Vintage Bentley values can certainly benefit those who hold very original cars. Individual ethics and character dictate how accurately a vehicle is represented by a Seller (providing the Seller truly knows what they own). Buyer activity should always include an appropriate level of pre-purchase research by more than one Bentley "expert". In short Buyer beware!!

In the end, a Vintage Bentley's most satisfying purpose for me, is to be driven. Cars that end up in Museums or at Concours but not driven with vigor are not my interest. The cars drive fabulously…with a little practice. They can keep up and surprise modern traffic with their speed and agility. They also transport their drivers to another time when a well designed Analog Automobile was created by an Engineering Genius (W. O. Bentley). Don't forget the Bentley Drivers Club name. Quite different from the Rolls Royce Owners Club.

I look after and drive several Bentleys. These are all original cars that have received care and rebuilding over the nearly 80 years since they were first built. One has a new manufacture Water Pump. Another a discreet electric fan to keep things happy under the bonnet. I buy new speed rated tires that make the cars handle even better. The bodies of wood and soft materials have been updated. No other Vintage Car can do what a Bentley does and carry 4 people while doing it. Fortunately an industry exists where we can still get spares we may need to keep these great cars on the Roads and Tracks of the World.

In my work today I'm successful but not to the level where I could afford to acquire a Vintage Bentley today, at these valuations. Fortunately with a very Bentley passionate, insightful, and generous Family, I'm able to truly cherish, enjoy, and oversee these very special cars.